Did the end of the shift change the Twins' view on Martin?

[bean5302]

Prior to the season, Derek Falvey was on record as talking to Austin Martin about the potential for Martin to play shortstop at the MLB level with the Twins this year. The link I found wasn't as direct about it as another one I read, but these things are tough to find!

https://sports.yahoo.com/neal-royce-isn-t-ready-224900472.html

That said... Austin Martin has almost universally been scouted as an unlikely shortstop. Range and arm strength are both considered questionable for a starting shortstop at the MLB level, but a lot of that can be overcome with the shift. See one Andrelton Simmons. Simmons had the reputation of an elite shortstop; however, he's never had acceptable range for a shortstop. He did possess a cannon arm which made up for some of it, but as his speed has dropped down to below that of a typical bat-first corner outfielder, Simmons remained adequate at the shortstop position. Why? The shift.

Now that the shift has been eliminated by new rules as a part of the 2022 CBA, has did it change the way the Twins view their options at shortstop this year and put them into a position where they were desperate to acquire a cheap, controllable shortstop in the hopes of bridging to Royce Lewis, if Lewis is able to make the huge leaps forward? Did the Twins pull the plug on Martin as a potential shortstop?

I still hate the Garver deal. I think it's amongst the worst trades I can recall, but was it borne from a knee-jerk reaction at the sudden landscape change as to the importance of shortstop physical skills and athleticism?

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Prior to the season, Derek Falvey was on record as talking to Austin Martin about the potential for Martin to play shortstop at the MLB level with the Twins this year. The link I found wasn't as direct about it as another one I read, but these things are tough to find!

https://sports.yahoo.com/neal-royce-isn-t-ready-224900472.html

That said... Austin Martin has almost universally been scouted as an unlikely shortstop. Range and arm strength are both considered questionable for a starting shortstop at the MLB level, but a lot of that can be overcome with the shift. See one Andrelton Simmons. Simmons had the reputation of an elite shortstop; however, he's never had acceptable range for a shortstop. He did possess a cannon arm which made up for some of it, but as his speed has dropped down to below that of a typical bat-first corner outfielder, Simmons remained adequate at the shortstop position. Why? The shift.

Now that the shift has been eliminated by new rules as a part of the 2022 CBA, has did it change the way the Twins view their options at shortstop this year and put them into a position where they were desperate to acquire a cheap, controllable shortstop in the hopes of bridging to Royce Lewis, if Lewis is able to make the huge leaps forward? Did the Twins pull the plug on Martin as a potential shortstop?

I still hate the Garver deal. I think it's amongst the worst trades I can recall, but was it borne from a knee-jerk reaction at the sudden landscape change as to the importance of shortstop physical skills and athleticism?

Good take. Martin seems like a better bet to play LF if there isn't a place at 3B or 2B.

I thought that any rule changes were put off for a year and then would be "voted" on by a committee of players, owners, and an umpire. The entire shift paradigm is being dismantled by fangraphs and other sites who use copious amounts of data and research to support their hypotheses. I guess we shall stay tuned.

[Squirrel]

Several posters who were on the 'Sign Story' train, already had AM in the outfield ... right @chpettit19  

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Several posters who were on the 'Sign Story' train, already had AM in the outfield ... right @chpettit19  

Yes! But now my Story dreams are dashed. I've seen multiple interviews where player dev guys and FO guys are still talking about Martin as a SS, but I don't think they actually plan to play him there. I don't think they ever did. I think it's more about giving it a shot in case he can shock the world. Team personnel have said they think he can play the OF already. Doesn't hurt to work on him in the IF and see what happens. 

I think the bigger question is Lewis. Do the still think he can play SS or is IKF a longer term plan than the 2 years they have him for at this point? Is he the bridge to Lewis or Miller?

[stringer bell]

I’m okay with Martin as an outfielder with positional flexibility, especially if he is a center fielder playing left. It will require that he is an above-average hitter. Everything suggests he will be able to get on base, but if his power doesn’t develop, he has to be elite with his OBP. 

[a-wan]

3 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I’m okay with Martin as an outfielder with positional flexibility, especially if he is a center fielder playing left. It will require that he is an above-average hitter. Everything suggests he will be able to get on base, but if his power doesn’t develop, he has to be elite with his OBP. 

Exactly. With the recent change in front office's opinion about positional flexibility, and teams pushing for it from their prospects it is an interesting nugget in regards to Martin. He isn't a "starting" MLB SS, but does it make him more attractive as a prospect that he could play there some days as well as the outfield, while playing a "good" CF?

[tony&rodney]

I'm really interested in knowing how Martin handles the bat this Spring. Can he make the jump and play LF? The Twins could use an athletic outfielder and if Buxton and Kepler step forward, then the power from LF is less important than OBP and defense.

[TopGunn#22]

That's how I see Martin making an impact for the Twins in 2022.  Arraez is packaged to get the final SP we need for the rotation.  Buxton & Kepler play well, and Martin is an on-base machine for St. Paul.  Eventually, (June 1st or so?) he's called up to play LF and hit at the top of the order.